Indiana House Republicans ‘committed’ to voucher school expansion
Indiana House Republicans will seek to expand the state’s “school choice” program despite a top GOP senator’s call for more voucher school reforms.
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Legislature considers legalizing a different kind of weed
Kratom already is legal in 44 states, but some health experts caution it has addictive properties and its usage, in some cases, can lead to psychotic symptoms and cause opioid patients to relapse.
Doctors ask lawmakers to free them from noncompete agreements
The Legislature is considering a bill that put Indiana on a list of more than a dozen other states that expressly prohibit or sharply limit non-compete agreements for physicians and other patient-care professionals.
Spartz says she won’t seek House reelection or run for Senate
After mulling a U.S. Senate run, Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana shocked her followers Friday when she announced that she will step away from political office after finishing her term to spend more time with her two daughters.
Bill calls for IEDC to inform local officials about big land purchases
The legislation would require the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to notify local officials before purchasing more than 100 acres of land for economic development that is intended to be used for an Innovation Development District.
Westfield Mayor Andy Cook says he will not seek fifth term
The Hamilton County community had just more than 21,000 residents when Cook was sworn in as its first mayor in 2008, the year Westfield moved from a town to a city. Today, its population tops 50,000.
Mitch Daniels decides not to run for U.S. Senate
The announcement ended speculation that he would jump into the race after sitting Sen. Mike Braun decided to run for governor.
IPS delays vote on $400M operating referendum amid criticism from charters, biz group
The proposed operating referendum would provide $50 million annually over an eight-year period to expand student programs and increase teacher pay through the program.
Hupfer loses bid to be RNC co-chair
Earlier in the day at the Republican winter meetings, Ronna McDaniel was easily re-elected chairwoman. It will be her fourth two-year term.
Issue with tourism agency’s fundraising arm prompts corrective legislation
For more than three years, the not-for-profit foundation created to collect private donations for the Indiana Destination Development Corp. has operated without being subject to routine state audits due to a legislative oversight.
Indiana tax cap proposal would help homeowners but hurt schools, local government
A new study projects homeowners’ bills payable this year could increase as much as 15%. That’s more than double what previous reports estimated for the upcoming bills.
Data shows 542K Hoosiers applied for student debt relief from embattled loan forgiveness program
Next month, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases seeking to overturn the debt relief policy that conservatives have panned as an expensive giveaway and executive overreach.
5 women with immense power: Can they keep US from fiscal brink?
This year, for the first time in history, the four leaders of the two congressional spending committees are women. So is the president’s OMB director.
Indiana House GOP ‘exploring options’ to postpone school tax referendums, including for IPS
The move comes as Indianapolis Public Schools plan to introduce two ballot measures in May to increase taxes to support more than $800 million in capital and operating expenses. The district has said the additional money is critical to its reorganization plan.
Indiana students may need to learn how to open bank accounts, take out loans in order to graduate
The vote puts Indiana on track to join several other states that have recently adopted financial literacy graduation requirements.
Indiana lawmakers scale back on private school aid expansion
Critics argued the original proposal opened up tuition payments to private schools for even the wealthiest families.
House GOP eyes Social Security, Medicare amid spending battle
Only weeks after taking control of the chamber, GOP lawmakers under new Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., have rallied around firm pledges for austerity.
Postal service on-time performance similar in rural, urban areas, report finds
Challenges with the cash-strapped United States Postal Service sent many Americans to their wit’s end during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in communities reliant on the mail for essential goods.
Justice Department sues Google over digital advertising dominance
The government alleged in the complaint that Google is looking to “neutralize or eliminate” rivals in the online ad marketplace through acquisitions and to force advertisers to use its products by making it difficult to use competitors’ offerings.
Classified documents found at Mike Pence’s Indiana home, lawyer says
The records appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to Pence’s personal home as he left office, the lawyer said.